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A year ago, I was feeling pains in my stomach. I was pregnant for the |
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A year ago, I was feeling pains in my stomach. I was pregnant for the first time and thought... maybe these were just Braxton Hicks, but I started noticing my urine was getting darker and darker and it caused concern. I wasn't sure what was going on because I was a model patient. I hadn't had any problems in my first 32 weeks of pregnancy. We went to the doctor and they found there was a high level of protein in my urine and my blood pressure was elevated. I met with the doctor and she was concerned but said to go home, take it easy, do a urine test over the weekend and to bring it in to have multiple days tested. I took a stress test and baby was fine. I could tell I was getting very weak. I couldn't stay awake and felt nauseous and just figured it was my being pregnant- not anything to worry about. I took my samples in and set up an appointment as the test results were to be in the next day. I was resting and really couldn't stay awake. As I slept day and night, I felt great. When I went in to have another stress test, they called in to receive the test results and sent me straight to the hospital to have the baby. Do not pass Go, do not collect $100. It was very urgent. I was put in labor and delivery at 34 weeks pregnant. I was put to sleep and had the baby as soon as everything was put in place. I had low platelet count, liver enzymes were off, my blood pressure was elevated...it was a classic case of HELLP syndrome. Although I didn't know what happened until two days later when one of the OB-GYNs in the practice came to see me and said his sister suffered from the same thing at which point I learned more quickly. My baby was in the NICU for 10 days and did great. Since I was so sick, I remained in labor and delivery. My baby was born on a Thursday at 4:00 pm and I finally got to meet her Friday night at 10:00pm when they wheeled me to a normal room and let me go past the NICU. I felt disconnected as I never did get to see her and only saw pictures. It did a number on my hormones and mood. She excelled and was moved to the less urgent NICU and there I was able to bond with her and interact. It was the best feeling in the world to actually feel like a Mom to this sweet baby girl...finally. She is going to turn one year next week and is the best thing that happened in my and my husband's life. She is amazing and I love being a mom. This past year has been great for us and my husband is the best father and claims I am the best mother. I will take the compliment! We are trying for baby #2 and my husband and I can't wait to complete our family with another baby. I have to admit, I am a little hesitant. I want to make sure I am not going to have another episode where HELLP Syndrome hits again and I am on bed rest and cannot spend my whole maternity leave with the precious baby I am going to have. I want to be there to raise my baby and live a long and happy life with my husband. I have a great support system and great doctors and nurses and am sure I will continue to receive the best care. When I asked how I can prevent the issues from happening again at a 6 month checkup, I was told that the man carries this. There is nothing I can do about it really, except maybe to make sure I am in the best shape I can be. So, I am concerned I am not seeing anything really about this in the documentation I am reading. Maybe someone can confirm if this is the case. |
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